The Berkeley
Encyclopedia
The Berkeley is a five star deluxe hotel, located in Wilton Place, Knightsbridge
, London
. It is managed by Maybourne Hotel Group
, who also manage Claridge's
and The Connaught
in Mayfair
, London.
purchased The Berkeley in 1900, and his family remained in control for the next century. In 2005, The Savoy Group, including The Berkeley, was sold to Quinlan Private, which sold off the Savoy Hotel
and Savoy Theatre
and renamed the group Maybourne Hotel Group.
Like other hotels in the group, the hotel features a connection to Gordon Ramsay
who runs the Boxwood Cafe at the hotel.
The Blue Bar (designed by David Collins) is also situated in The Berkeley, as is Marcus Wearing. The Caramel Room within the hotel is home to the Pret a Portea, the world renowned 'fashionistas afternoon tea'.
The Berkeley is unique in that it boasts London's only rooftop swimming pool. Although The Savoy in the Strand
also has pool open to the sky, that pool is located in an atrium on the third floor.
Recently released plans for the Berkeley show that the swimming pool on the roof will be closed and a new spa will be opened in the basement, with additional rooms being added to the roof area.
In 2004, an album entitled 'The Blue Bar' was released through Warner Dance, featuring a mix of ambient techno and electronica regularly played in the bar.
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It is managed by Maybourne Hotel Group
Maybourne Hotel Group
Maybourne Hotel Group is a British luxury hotel operator. It was formed on January 24, 2005 by Quinlan Private, after it had sold The Savoy. Maybourne Hotel group owns and manages The Berkeley, Claridge's and The Connaught. Derek Quinlan is the firm's controlling shareholder....
, who also manage Claridge's
Claridge's
Claridge's is a luxury hotel in Mayfair, central London. It is located at the corner of Brook Street and Davies Street.-History:Claridge's is a traditional grand hotel. Its extensive and old connections with royalty have led to it being referred to as an "extension to Buckingham Palace"...
and The Connaught
The Connaught (hotel)
The Connaught in Carlos Place, Mayfair, central London, is a five star luxury hotel.The hotel first opened in 1815 as the Prince of Saxe Coburg Hotel, an offshoot of a hotel opened by Alexander Grillon in Albemarle Street, Mayfair, and was originally a pair of Georgian houses in Charles Street,...
in Mayfair
Mayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
, London.
Description
Richard D'Oyly CarteRichard D'Oyly Carte
Richard D'Oyly Carte was an English talent agent, theatrical impresario, composer and hotelier during the latter half of the Victorian era...
purchased The Berkeley in 1900, and his family remained in control for the next century. In 2005, The Savoy Group, including The Berkeley, was sold to Quinlan Private, which sold off the Savoy Hotel
Savoy Hotel
The Savoy Hotel is a hotel located on the Strand, in the City of Westminster in central London. Built by impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte with profits from his Gilbert and Sullivan operas, the hotel opened on 6 August 1889. It was the first in the Savoy group of hotels and restaurants owned by...
and Savoy Theatre
Savoy Theatre
The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre located in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre opened on 10 October 1881 and was built by Richard D'Oyly Carte on the site of the old Savoy Palace as a showcase for the popular series of comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan,...
and renamed the group Maybourne Hotel Group.
Like other hotels in the group, the hotel features a connection to Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay
Gordon James Ramsay, OBE is a Scottish chef, television personality and restaurateur. He has been awarded 13 Michelin stars....
who runs the Boxwood Cafe at the hotel.
The Blue Bar (designed by David Collins) is also situated in The Berkeley, as is Marcus Wearing. The Caramel Room within the hotel is home to the Pret a Portea, the world renowned 'fashionistas afternoon tea'.
The Berkeley is unique in that it boasts London's only rooftop swimming pool. Although The Savoy in the Strand
Strand, London
Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. The street is just over three-quarters of a mile long. It currently starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street at Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City of London at this point, though its historical length...
also has pool open to the sky, that pool is located in an atrium on the third floor.
Recently released plans for the Berkeley show that the swimming pool on the roof will be closed and a new spa will be opened in the basement, with additional rooms being added to the roof area.
The Blue Bar
The hotel's Blue Bar was designed by Dublin architect David Collins, and is decorated entirely in 'Lutyens Blue'. The bar is popular amongst celebrities, and carries a selection of fifty different whiskies and cocktails.In 2004, an album entitled 'The Blue Bar' was released through Warner Dance, featuring a mix of ambient techno and electronica regularly played in the bar.